Nonlocal elasticity theory for the buckling of double-layer graphene nanoribbons based on a continuum model

The mechanical stability of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) is an important mechanical property to study, when GNRs are used as components in sensors or other nanodevices. In this paper, nonlocal effects are considered in a continuum model based theoretical analysis of the critical buckling stress of cantilevered double-layer GNRs (DLGNRs) that are subjected to an axial compressive load. The results show that the nonlocal effect has an inverse relationship with the buckling stress, and the nonlocal effect decreases with increasing aspect ratio of DLGNRs. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge this is the first report that, for DLGNRs in anti-phase modes, lower buckling mode can endure higher buckling stress because of van der Waals (vdW) interaction.

► Nonlocal elasticity theory is used in the vibration buckling analysis of DLGNRs.
► Buckling modes can be divided into in-phase and anti-phase modes in the study.
► Lower anti-phase mode can endure higher buckling stress in DLGNRs.